The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has disclosed that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) would continue to strengthen its existing strategic partnerships with Nigerian universities in order to seek possible areas of cooperation and knowledge sharing to enhance NAF operations and combat emerging security challenges.

This was stated by the Chief of Standards and Evaluation (COSE), Headquarters NAF, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) John Baba, while leading a Team of NAF researchers on tour of some Universities in the South West of the country, with the aim of building on the already existing Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) between the NAF and the institutions. The universities visited include University of Lagos, Covenant University Ota, University of Ibadan and Federal University of Technology, Akure.

At the University of Lagos, AVM Baba said the visit to the Institution was to seek collaboration in the area of research to improve NAF tactical operations at combating security challenges bedeviling the country. After a courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, the Team visited the Dean of Engineering, Professor Funsho Falade, and the Head of Department of System Engineering, Dr. Fashanu Theophilus. In their separate responses, they assured the NAF of their continued support and promised not to do anything that would jeopardised the already existing MOU between the Institution and the NAF. The NAF Team Leader, AVM Baba, listed key areas of research collaboration which include: Artificial Intelligence; Automation and Robotics; Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology; Precision Manufacturing and CNC Technology; Digital Image Processing; Mechatronics; Object Tracking and Detection; Aerospace Technology, especially Aircraft Systems as well as ICT and Software Development.

While welcoming the NAF Team to Covenant University, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Aderemi Atayero, assured the Team of the Institution’s readiness to assist the NAF to boost its tactical operations and develop its competences in all the key areas of research. Professor Atayero also implored the NAF to send its personnel to the Institution to study relevant courses that would benefit the Service. The COSE also indicated NAF’s readiness to engage lecturers from the universities to teach in various NAF institutions.

Meanwhile, the combined Team of Air Force Military School (AFMS) and Air Force Girls Comprehensive Secondary School (AFGCS) Jos has emerged the winner of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Inter-Secondary Schools Quiz, Debate and Sports Competition which ended in Kaduna yesterday, 14 December 2018. The week-long event, which featured both academic and sporting activities, brought over 500 students from the 13 NAF secondary schools together, to foster team spirit and healthy competition among the students to enable them excel in their future endeavours.

In his remarks during the colourful Closing Ceremony, the Guest of Honour, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, disclosed that the development of psychomotor, cognitive and affective learning domains through sports, quiz and debate are essential for the achievement of NAF educational goals. He expressed hope that the successful completion of the quiz/debate and sports competitions would strengthen the knowledge of Mathematics, Sciences, English Language and Literature as well as capacity for sporting activities and camaraderie among students of NAF schools. The CAS congratulated the winning schools and encouraged others to immediately start preparations towards better performance in the next competition. He also praised the untiring efforts of the school commandants and teachers for training the children towards their commendable performance at the competition. He also expressed deep appreciation to the facilitators, officials and students for their efforts in making the sports and quiz/debate competition a resounding success.

The 10th edition of the NAF Inter-Schools Sports and 3rd edition of NAF Inter-Schools Quiz and Debate Competitions, which began on 10 December 2018, featured track and field events, volleyball, football, basketball and table tennis as well as quiz, debates and march-past. Apart from emerging overall winner, the AFMS/AFGCS Jos Team placed first in the Sports Competition while Air Force Secondary School (AFSS) Port Harcourt took the first position in the Debate Competition and Air Force Comprehensive School (AFCS) Uyo came first in Quiz.

The Best Speaker award went to Miss Gloria Irobuisi from AFSS Port Harcourt. The Closing Ceremony featured the 100m girls and boys as well as the 4 x 100m and 4 x 400m boys and girls and the finals of the football competition, which saw AFCS Kaduna edging out AFMS Jos by a goal to nil.

Guests at the Ceremony included Branch Chiefs from NAF Headquarters as well as the Air Officers Commanding Tactical Air Command, Air Training and Ground Training Commands, along with other senior officers.

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